Obituary of Patricia Anne Wheeler

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the peaceful passing of Patricia (Pat) Anne WHEELER in her 93rd year on the morning of May 28th at Buckingham Manor 

in Whitchurch-Stouffville, where she had recently moved.

She will be deeply missed by her sons, Douglas and Christopher Wheeler and her daughter-in-law, Susan Wheeler.  She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Elizabeth and Josh and Katelyn and Michael.  She is preceded by her loving husband William and her eldest son, Donald.  

Pat was born and raised in London, Ontario and attended Alma College in St. Thomas.  She then moved to Toronto to attend college. 

Pat was a gifted artist and graduate of the Ontario College of Art (now OCAD) where she met her husband of 68 years William Wheeler.  She began as a freelance illustrator in 1955.  In 1968 they moved with their three sons to Markham, where her keen wit and distinctive style soon came to life with weekly cartoons that she published in The Markham Economist and Sun, the Saturday Magazine section of the Toronto Star, The Stouffville Tribune and The Stouffville Sun.

She was the founder and first president of the Markham Group of Artists and a passionate supporter of the arts in her community. Her legacy lives on in the Markham Museum where her cartoon collection was donated and can be viewed in a permanent exhibition known as, A Picture of Markham, The Art of Pat Wheeler.  

Pat was very active in the community and had volunteered for seven years at the Markham Stouffville Hospital.  She spent decades volunteering at the Markham Fair as a committee member and judge and had been a past Chairman of the Markham Fair Art Committee.  Until recently, she was a volunteer instructor and Seniors Representative of the local Taoist Tai Chi Society.  She also was a volunteer at The Kathleen Gormley McKay Art Centre as well as The Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery of Markham.  She was a past volunteer Public Relations Chairman of The Canadian Cancer Society (Markham Unit).  

In 2024, in a lasting tribute to her creativity and dedication, the Town of Markham honoured her by naming a park located at 105 Lawrence Pilkington Avenue, in Markham’s Cornell neighbourhood, Pat Wheeler Park.

Patricia was known for her deep and lasting friendships, which brought joy and meaning to her life and the lives of those around her. After losing her husband Bill five years ago, she continued to live independently with grace and strength and she met life with humour, warmth and kindness. She rarely ever complained and always seemed to find humour in the moment, regardless of the circumstances.  She was a true example of resilience and joy.

Patricia will be deeply missed by her family and friends and the wider Markham community who were touched by her art and her indelible spirit.  

A visitation will be held at the Dixon-Garland Funeral Home on 166 Main Street North in Markham on Wednesday, June 11 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with a funeral service following at 1 pm with Reverend Deb Foster. 

A private internment will be held at the Elwood Cemetery. 

This will be followed by a Celebration of Life in the room named in her honour at the Markham Museum at 9350 Markham Rd, Markham, ON L6E 2A5

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the Canadian Cancer Society.